Medic at Texas fertilizer blast arraigned in court on bomb charge

10 May 2013 22:59[Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--West volunteer emergency medical technician Bryce Ashley Reed, 31, who was one of the first to respond to the West Fertilizer explosion, was arraigned in US District Court in Waco on Friday on one count of unlawfully possessing an unregistered destructive device.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Reed did not enter a plea in the charge. If convicted, Reed could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 (€190,000).

He remained in custody of federal authorities as of Friday evening. Court officials said he has been appointed a public defender and his next court appearance will be on Wednesday.

Reed was arrested late on Thursday after authorities discovered what has been described as a pipe bomb at a residence in the nearby community of Abbott, Texas. The person who reported the materials to police told them that the items belonged to Reed and had been left there on or about 26 April.

Authorities said they have recovered a section of galvanised metal pipe along with end caps, fuses and canisters of powder described in court affidavits as being potassium nitrate, aluminium powder, red iron oxide, sulphur and other elements.

Authorities have said that there is no connection being made between the device and the 17 April blast at the West Fertilizer facility, killing 14.

“No evidence has been uncovered to indicate any connection to the events surrounding the fire and subsequent explosion at the West Fertilizer plant and the arrest,” according to a statement from the McLennan Sheriff’s Office.

Federal authorities said they will not speculate at this time whether the device or Reed has any connection to the explosion at West Fertilizer.